The Osceola times., 1887-01-29

Though the honor implied in the pro-
lection of the principal residence of the
sovereign is considerable, military duty
at Windsor is not by any means held in
high estimation by soldiers, that is to
say by those whose lot it is to perform
the ordinary functions of "sentry-go"
around the castle. In word, the duty
is "hard." This term, applied topeace-
time soldering, means that the men
have few nights in bed"-the critic
rion by which such service is invariably
judged. At some stations the rank and
\ file have as many as twenty of these
coveted consecutive nights in barracks;
but at Windsor the present writer has at
times enjoyed the honor ofpassing every
& third night on the exposed terraces of the
castle; and as the"Queen's Regulations"
y lay particular stress on each soldier
having at least one might in bed' be-
fore going on guard, it will be granted
that the Windsor duty is not unjustly
considered somewhat trying. Perhaps
glimpse at the inner life Of the Cas-
tle-guard may interest some readers.
The armed party, which consists of
some fifty soldiers. is under command
of an officer, assisted by two sergeants,
together with as many corporals, and
it enters upon its twenty-four hours
tour of duty in the afternoon. A
drummer-boy also "mounts;" his chief
employment being to go messages and
TO carry the lantern used in making the
nocturnal "rounds" When the guard
marches into the lower ward of the
castle, after having in its progress con-
siderably enlivened the quiet streets of
Windsor, the sold" guard is formally
relieved, and the men not Immediately
required as sentinels take possession of
the guard-room-a large. compare
lively modern building, in the vicinity
of the antique Curfcw Tower. With a
view, probably, to the preservation of
discipline. the two sergeants aye pro-
vidod with a bunk" small portion
of the area of the apartment partition
ed off, and fitted with miniature
guarded. Here they often employ their
time in the making up of pay-lists, duty
rosters, and the like. On entering the
guardroom, the privates quickly divest
themselves of their valises and folded
greatcoats; for it is now admitted by
the authorities that sentry may march
about quite "steadily" without being
constantly burdened with his kit. The
valises are suspended from rows of
pegs furnished for this purpose; and
what in fine weather might seem sur
prising-the greatcoats set free from
their tightly-buckled straps. Ostensi-
bly,, the "loose" coats are necessary to
spread out on the guard-bed, so as TO
slightly soften that uneasy couch, as
well as to prevent dust, which may
there have lodged, from adhering to the
tuncs of recumbent guardsmen. But
the real reason for shaking out these
garments frequently is to allow them
10 dry, because in many cases they have
been literally sprinkled with water be-
fore being buckled up. to insure more
compact fold"
A stranger to things military, on sur
reptitiously glancing in at the guard
room door early in the day, and while
the sentry's back was turned, would
notice large number of white basins
drawn up on the tables and "dressed"
with extraordinary precision. These
vessels are placed in position for the
reception of the soup, which is served
shortly before midday. and they bring
us to the important subject of the cuin-
airy departments. There are four cooks
connected with the castle guard. One
is corporal of the cooks" another is
''standing' (or permanently cook; and
the remaining two are merely sent daily
on fatigue" from the barracks. The
provisions are conveyed to the castle in
barrow of peculiar construction and
deposited in the cook house-a place
not at all resembling conventional
kitchen. but both in situation and APP
pearance very like the dungeons one is
occasionally introduced to when visit
ing ancient strongholds. In this dismal
region are capacious 'coppcrs, in any
one of which soup. beef, vegetables or
tea can be prepared.
To return, however, to the proceed
+. ings of the members of the guard.
When they have satisfactorily arranged
their equipments and, above all, thor
Xou9bly repolighed their boots. N corpo-